Barnard Marcus achieved its highest sales total this year, despite a success rate of just 64%.
This was due to the high value of the lots offered. Out of 174 lots, 111 sold, raising £25.6m and just beating the sales total at May’s auction.
It was a mixed catalogue, with lots including a builder’s yard, garden nursery and equestrian centre, woodland, a former baptist church and a quarry.
Chris Glenn, divisional managing director, said: “While I noticed the degree of selectivity in the lots people were bidding on, there was no hesitation from bidders when it came to prices. It is clear people view property as the best asset class for their investment, especially for the property located in London and Home Counties.”
The most expensive lot was a 1.1-acre freehold site in Dartford, Kent, with permission for 69 retirement flats, which sold for £3.2m. A parcel of land containing 13 garages in Worcester Park, Surrey, with development potential, was sold for £446,000. Another potential development lot, containing four vacant houses with land either side in Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, failed to sell despite attracting bids of up to £2.2m.
Also failing to hit its reserve was a freehold parade of six let shops in Chatham, Kent, with permission for the offices above to be converted into flats. The last bid was £1.4m. It is available at £1.5m.
The sale took place on 12 October at Hotel Russell, WC1.
